Liquid chiller and dispenser



Aug. 30, 1966 A. ARMSTRONG 3,259,605

LIQUID CHILLER AND DISPENSER Filed March 5, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I4 KI INVENTOR- |6 52 ALFRED ARMSTRONG fl%,7 m 3 Wm ATTORNFYS Aug. 30, 1966A. ARMSTRONG LIQUID CHILLER AND, DISPENSER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March5, 1964 INVENTOR.

ALFRED ARMSTRONG flzmdwa 2 WM ATTORNEYS Aug. 30, 1966 A. ARMSTRONGLIQUID CHILLER AND DISPENSER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 5, 1964INVENTOR.

ALFRED ARMSTRONG ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,269,606 LIQUID CHILLERAND DISPENSER Alfred Armstrong, Norwood, Mass., assignor to Crathco,Inc., Canton, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Mar. 3, 1964,Ser. No. 348,937 16 Claims. (Cl. 222146) The present invention relatesto improvements in the conditioning, storage and dispensing of liquidsand, in one particular aspect, to novel and improved apparatus ofuncomplicated construction which efliciently chills and dispensesliquids and which may be easily maintained and used.

Beverage dispensers are known in a variety of forms lending themselvesto attractive counter-top display of their contents for merchandising tocustomers in stores, restaurants, soda fountains, and the like.Self-contained apparatus of this type which is employed for the vendingof cool beverages commonly incorporates an electricallypoweredminiaturized refrigeration system which chills thecontinuously-circulated contents of an exposed transparent storage tank.It has been found particularly effective, both from aerating andaesthetic standpoints, to develop a continuous fountain-like spray ofthe stored liquid Within the dispenser tank, and the necessary pumpingfor this purpose has been advantageously induced by an impellermagnetically coupled with an electric drive motor which remainsmechanically isolated from the stored liquid.

Efiiciency of cooling has required that relatively large heat-exchangeareas be in contact with the liquid, and, in the past, the exposed orjacketed refrigerating coils have occupied undesirably large volumes inthe storage tanks, have cooled with diminished efficiency when storedliquid level became low, and have complicated cleaning operations.Another difficulty has been that of avoiding stagnation areas whereliquid might not be well circulated, and where certain amounts of theliquid, particularly those within a tap site, may not be fully chilledwhen dispensed to the consumer. In the latter connection, prior effortshave been directed to the high-velocity circulation of cooled liquidthrough the tap mechanisms, for example, although this approach involvescomplex valving and circulation structure, and tends to develop unwantedhigh liquid velocities and pressures at the tap. Disadvantages of theaforesaid character are overcome in accordance with the presentteachings by chilling and recirculating the stored beverage through useof a simple and yet highly eificient and compact unit whichsimultaneously functions to cool and pump the beverage, and which isconfined to the very bottom of the storage tank where it occupies littlespace and ope-rates efliciently upon whatever volume of beverage ispresent. In cooperation with this assembly, an improved form ofgravityactuated lift valve of low-cost construction serves to releasefrom circulated storage only such amounts of the beverage as areintended to be dispensed and, in addition, is automatically maintainedwell cooled throughout.

It is one of the objects of the present invention, therefore, to providenovel and improved liquid conditioning and dispensing apparatus ofeconomical uncomplicated construction possessing mechanical nicetiespromoting etficient circulation of stored liquid and facilitatingmaintenance and sterilizing.

Another object is to provide improved beverage dispensers wherein uniqueand efficient pumping and heatexchange effects are developedsimultaneously by mechanisms which occupy little space, are readilyaccessible for periodic cleaning, and operate very effectively on smallas well as large volumes of stored beverage.

A further object is to provide a novel chilled beverage dispenser ofsimple form wherein efliciently cooled and "ice circulated beverage iscontinuously available for precise dispensing.

Still further, it is an object to provide improved cooling and pumpingin small self-contained beverage display and dispensing apparatus ofrelatively high storage capacity which well lends itself to dismantlingand re-assembly for cleaning and maintenance purposes, and in whichimproved gravity-actuated valving promotes non-drip and non-splashingcold dispensing of beverages.

By way of a summary account of practice of this invention in one of itsaspects, a stand incorporating a common type of miniature refrigerationsystem is provided near its top surface with a recessed horizontal andgenerally circular metal cooling plate of magnetically permeablematerial below which refrigeration tubing is coiled in intimateheat-exchange contact. A motorized magnetic clutch element is rotated athigh speed below and centrally of the cooling plate and, in turn,through magnetic coupling, rotates a spindle-mounted centrifugalimpeller which is collinearly disposed on the opposite side of theplate. Atop the plate, and in coaxially surrounding relationship to theimpeller, there is fitted a shallow spirallyribbed annular pump plate,the ribbing of which abuts the cooling plate to develop a substantiallyclosed multiturn spiral flow channel about the impeller; the spiralchannelling thus formed has an upwardly-extending outlet through thepump plate near its outer periphery, and a separable vertical spray tubeextends upwardly from the outlet to carry discharged liquid to a higherlevel. Liquid admitted to the impeller from above near the center of thepump plate is thus rotated at a high angular velocity and is caused toflow through the spiral channel, where it is brought into lengthyheat-exchange communication with the cooling plate and where its linearvelocity is materially increased upon its travel radially outward fromthe site of the impeller. Ejection from the spray tube may thus occurwith substantial force. An open-topped transparent plastic bowl ofgenerally rectangular outline and having a circular rimmed openingthrough its base is set into and is mated in sealed relationship withthe upper recess in the stand; the upstanding spray tube extends abovethe level of this bowl, into close proximity with a removable convexbowl cover. At its forward end, which over-hangs the support standhousing the refrigeration system, and which is separate from the rimmedopening, the bowl exhibits a further opening in its base, and avertically slidable lift valve member is there supported in a guidebushing which provides a valve seat for a circular seal on the valvemember. The lower outlet end of the valve member is tubular and mergeswith liquidadmitting openings just below the circular seal, while theupper end of the same member is in the form of a largearea mass whichgravitationally depresses the valve member and is also immersed in andthus in a heat-exchange relations-hip with the beverage in the bowl. Avalveoperating lever is disposed for actuation by the positioning of abeverage cup below the tubular valve outlet.

Although the aspects of this invention which are believed to be novelare set forth in the appended claims, additional details as to preferredpractices of the invention and as to the further objects, advantages andfeatures thereof may be most readily comprehended through reference tothe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a pictorial representation of a twin-bowl beverageconditioner and dispenser of the type in which the present teachings areexploited to particular advantage;

FIGURE 2 provides a cross-sectioned side view of the forward portion of'a beverage storage tank in which the invention is practiced;

FIGURE 3 is a partly cross-sectioned side view of a combinedheat-exchanger and pump assembly in association with fragments of thebowl and stand mechanisms of the apparatus shown in FIGURES l and 2;

FIGURE 4 illustrates the spirally-ribbed pump plate of the assembly inFIGURE 3, viewed from below;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of elements of the pump and heat-exchangerassembly portrayed in FIG- URE 3; and

FIGURE 6 is an exploded view of the tap valve appearing in the FIGURE 1and 2 illustrations.

The liquid cooler and dispenser apparatus depicted in FIGURE 1 is of arelatively small and lightweight form intended for attractivecounter-top display and service of chilled juices, syrup drinks, orother beverages. Aesthetic appeal which aids in merchandising of suchbeverages is promoted through use of transparent or translucent storagetanks, such as the twin plastic bowls 7 and 8, which expose theircontinuously-circulated liquid or liquid-solids contents, 9 and 10, tocustomer view. Removable plastic covers, 7a and 8a, for these storagebowls protect their contents and provide access for refilling andcleaning purposes; in the illustrated construction, these covers alsoserve to deflect upwardly-sprayed recirculated liquid forcefullydischarged from the tops of vertical spray tubes 11 and 12 which projectabove the highest possible levels of liquid contained within the storagebowls. As is described later herein, the bowl and cover structures areof configurations promoting substantially continuous flow of thecirculated liquid across their internal surfaces, without involvingpressuretight seals, such that solids contents are continuously washedback into the stored reservoirs of liquid and unwanted surface depositsare avoided. Both tanks are of generally rectangular outline and arefitted atop a supporting enclosed stand, 13, with their forward ends 7band 8b slightly overhanging the front 13a of the enclosure to affordunobstructed access, from below, to the tap valve outlets, 14 and 15,respectively, in their bases. These valves are of a gravity-actuatedtype which involve masses 14a and 15a disposed within the stored liquidsfor chilling purposes, and beverage is dispensed automatically andwithout appreciable after-drip when beverage containers are pressedlightly against the depending dispensing levers 16 and 17, respectively.Removable tray 18 conveniently collects any beverage overflow, and sidelouvers 19 in the enclosure permit eflicient circulation of air neededfor efficient operation of a conventional type of miniaturizedrefrigeration system (not shown) housed within enclosure 13.

The bowl 7, and its cover 7a, are preferably fitted together withoutinvolving the use of auxiilary seals. For this purpose, the upper edge70 of bowl 7 is simply formed to lie in one horizontal plane, and thedepending flange 7d of cover 7a overhangs this edge, all as shown inFIGURE 2. Inwardly of edge 70 and flange 7d, the cover 7a possesses adownwardly-directed inner rim 72, which is laterally spaced from andextends sufliciently below the level of bowl edge 70 to avoid thepossibility of leakage from the joint between the cover and bowl as therecirculated beverage courses downwardly along the inner surfaces 7 ofthe cover after being ejected upwardly against the top inner surfaces 7gfrom the spray tube 11 (FIGURE 1). Instead, the recirculated beveragedrips either directly into the reservoir 9 from the bottom of rim 7e, ifthe bowl 7 is nearly full, or, alternatively, drips onto and thuscontinuously washes the inwardly- ;loping walls 7h of the bowl when thelatter is not nearly Base 7i of bowl 7 is substantially flat, exceptthat the large circular opening 7j therein is surrounded by a shortdownwardly-extending cylindrical rim 7k, which is intended to be matedwithin the upper recess of the stand where the cooling plate and shallowspiralled pumping assembly are disposed. A deformable sealing ring 20,preferably of substantially D-shaped 'cross-section, is-

tightly fitted about rim 7k. Forwardly of this, a second, smaller baseopening 21 is occupied by the valve seat bushing 22 and by part of themated lift valve member 14. Upper cylindrical recess 23 in the enclosedstand 13 is designated in FIGURE 3, where the rimmed opening in the baseof bowl 7 is mated and sealed with it, and where elements of theimproved chilling and pumping mecha nisms are shown in assembledrelationship. Gasket 20 is preferably thick and formed of alow-durometer material, such as soft rubber, which permits it to besomewhat compressed radially and thus sealed tightly against the innersubstantially cylindrical surface 24 projecting upwardly around theperiphery of the generally flat and circular cooling plate 25. TheD-shaped cross-section of this gasket, which is evident in the drawings,is advantageous in that it inhibits rolling and twisting of the gasketas the bowl is fitted into place on the stand by bowl manipulationsinvolving both downward thrusts and angular oscillations. Before thebowl is so fitted, the gasket 20 is first stretched slightly and affixeddry to the dry outside of the bowl rim 7k, being originally of slightlysmaller inner diameter than the outer diameter of that rim so that atight, leakproof, and non-slipping fit will be produced between thegasket and bowl rim. Subsequently, the outside of the gasket and theinterior surface 24 of the stand recess are wet with water or othernon-toxic and noncontaminating liquid, to provide both lubrication andimproved sealing when these surfaces are mated. The outer diameter ofstretched gasket 20 is somewhat larger than the diameter of surface 24,thus insuring that essentially pure radial compresson of the soft gasketwill develop tight sealing between it and surface 24.

Metal cooling plate 25 is recessed downwardly from the metal-sheathedupper surfaces of the sturdy top 26 of the enclosure 13, and it isnested with a plasti member 27 which both provides certainreinforcements and aids in enclosing and isolating the refrigerationcoils 28. The latter coils are wound in a flat annular spiral array, andare soldered to the under side of cooling plate 25 to develop an optimumheat-exchange relationship with it. Centrally, the plate 25 and nestedmember 27 are in abutting relationship, but an annular space 29 housingthe coils is formed between them at further radial distances from acentral axis 3030. A foamed insulating plastic, such as an expandedpolyurethane foam 31, fills the voids within the annular space 29,thereby strengthening and improving the thermal characteristics of theassembly. Fabrication of the large cylindriea'lly-rimmed thin circularcooling plate as a strong large-area fiat member is aided by theinclusion of an annular depression 32 or, alternatively, a raisedannular ridge, inwardly of the annular site where the refrigerationcoils are located. In the usual manner, a refrigerant is passed throughcoils 28, which are part of a conventional type of refrigeration systemcontained within the enclosed bowl stand 13. Within the same stand thereis also mounted an electric motor 33 which rotates a magnetized clutchmember 34 about axis 3030 and below the cooling plate 25 and thecooperating plastic member 27. The magnetic field from clutch member 34penetrates the magnetically permeable and substantially non-conductive(electrically) material, such as stainless steel, of which the coolingplate is formed, and interacts with the magnetic or magnetized corematerial 35 embedded within the relatively small plastic impeller 36located above the cooling plate. In turn, this magnetic interactioncauses high-speed rotation of the impeller on a bearing sleeve 37 aboutthe upstanding stationary central stud 38 aflixed to the center of plate25. Centrifugal impeller 36 carries an array of blades or vanes 39 atthe top, where stored beverage from above may be received and spun toassume high angular and radial components of velocity about axis 30-30.

Substantially all of the liquid acted upon by the centrifugal impelleris constrained to travel at high speed in a highly elongated spiral pathin proximity with the cool ing plate 25. This has two important results:first, the pumped liquid has advantageously prolonged and highspeedcontact with all cold parts of the cooling plate, so that thoroughchilling is insured; and, second, the pumped liquid reaches a desirablyhigh linear velocity before it is returned to the reservoir. Both ofthese effects are promoted by the separable pump member 40 which isclosed at its top 40a, except for a central fluid-admitting opening 41(FIGURE 5) and a peripheral fluid outlet 42, and which includes integraldepending vertical ribbing 40b in spiral form of more than one turn.Spiral ribbing 40b commences near the central impeller and terminatesnear the periphery of pump member 40, at an outwardly-turned end 400near the outlet 42. Vertical depth of the spiral channel 43 formedbetween turns of ribbing 40b is generally about the same as the depth ofthe shallow cylin drical recess above cooling plate 25; the channel isclosed at the top by part 40a and substantially closed at the bottom bycooling plate 25. For the latter purpose, the lower end of ribbing 40bextends into close proximity with cooling plate 25. Near its outerperiphery 40d, the pump member rests upon the interior of bowl base 7i,about the circular opening 7 and unintended escape of liquid directlyback into the reservoir 9 is effectively suppressed there without use ofother sealing provisions. Pump member 40 is removably held in operatingposition (FIGURE 3) by a lock washer member 44 having a lock ing keyway44a which permits it to engage and secure itself to the spindle 38 abouta reduced-diameter section 38:: near its upper end. Central opening 41in the pump member is kept in free communication with the beveragereservoir by the clearance provided between legs 40l of an integralupper support web 40m which has a central guide hole 45 (FIGURE 5 fororienting the pump member properly on the spindle 38.

Arrows 46 in FIGURE 3 characterize beverage flow from the reservoir tothe center of the centrifugal impeller; this liquid is rotated at highangular velocity and courses through the spiral cavity 43 at high linearspeeds until finally it escapes upwardly through the short standpipe 42asurrounding outlet 42. Sufficient head is developed in this pumping toforce the beverage out of the top of spray tube 11 and against the bowlcover, as designated by arrows 47. The long-distance spiral flow of thepumped beverage brings various unit volumes of beverage into prolongedhigh-velocity heat-exchange relationship with cooling plate 25 andthereby effects a thorough chill ing before the outlet spray returns the'beverage to the reservoir. Pump member 40, being open at the bottom,can be readily cleaned, and other elements of the pumping and coolingassembly (bushing 37, impeller 36, lock member 44, and spray tube 11)are also easily separated and re-assembled for the same purpose.

The entire reservoir of beverage 9 is maintained Well chilled at alltimes as a result of the aforementioned op eration. This chilledbeverage may be directly dispensed from the reservoir to the consumerwithout further cooling or other safeguards so long as no stagnation orundue warming can occur in the dispensing valve. FIGURES 2 and 6 providedetails of the simple type of valve which is used for cold dispensing.Hollow guide bushing 22, which is exteriorly threaded and held intightly sealed relationship with the bowl base by lock nut 48, is matedwith the coaxially slidable lift valve member 14. Together, theseelements close the base opening 21, through the intermediary O-ring seal49 which is firmly fitted about the valve member 14 and seats againstthe conical sea-ting surface 50 of the bushing. At its upper end, valvemember 14 is united with a relatively large cylindrical mass 14:: havingthe dual effects of gravitationally depressing valve member 14 andpreserving it cool by virtue of its chilling by the cold beverage inwhich it is immersed. Below the level of O-ring seal 49, the valvemember is hollow, to form a dispensing outlet pipe or tap, and thevertical interior passage 14b communicates with the outside of member 14by way of one or more side openings, such as opening 51. The latteropening or openings are disposed below the level of the seal 49, suchthat beverage can enter and drain through the hollow outlet pipeWhenever the valve is raised. Lifting of the valve member 14 isaccomplished by applying pressure backwardly against lever arm 16, inthe direction of arrow 52; advantageously, this occurs automaticallywhenever a beverage container is positioned below the outlet tap and ispressed against the lever arm. A broad portion of arm 16 hangs somewhatvertically downwardly at a position to the rear of tap member 14, from aforwardly-extending portion 1 6:: which has an aperture 16b throughwhich the reduced-diameter lower end 140 of tap member 14 extends.Integral later-allyextending tabs 160 at the front of lever portion 16ware hung in notches 53a of a U-shaped hinge bracket 5-3 secured to theunder side of the bowl by the lock nut 48. Lever aperture 16b is onlyslightly larger than the reduced-diameter end 140 of the lift valvemember, such that the lever is held against dislodging from the hingenotches so long as the lift valve member 14 remains in place. Backwardpressure on the lever arm causes it to tilt in the hinge notches and tolift member 14 from its seat. The lever and valve member both drop backto their lowermost positions when the pressure is removed. Outletpassage 14b is substantially vertical, and short, with the result thatsubstantially no beverage can remain trapped in the valve, and nosignificant after-drip can occur following any dispensing action. Thevalve parts remain well chilled, due largely to conduction pathsinvolving the cooled mass 14a. As in the case of the pumping and coolingassembly, the dispensing valve operates well even with low levels ofliquid in the bowl. Moreover, the beverage is discharged at onlyrelatively low pressure and velocity, such that splashing or spraying isavoided during the dispensing operations.

-In some instances, it can be advantageous to mold elementscorresponding to the guide bushing 22 and notched hinge bracket 53integrally with the bowl, rather than to supply these as separate parts.Injection molding techniques permit the seating and guide surfaces ofthe bushing to be formed with the requisite precision.

Based upon the recognitions and teachings described herein,liquid-handling apparatus may be produced in different sizes and formsfor a variety of applications. Accordingly, it should be understood thatthe specific embodiments herein disclosed are intended to be of adescriptive rather than a limiting character, and various modifications,combinations and substitutions may be effected in practice of theseteachings without departing either in spirit or scope from thisinvention in its broader aspects.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. Liquid-processing apparatus, comprising a container for a quantity ofa liquid, a heat-transfer plate having at least a substantially fiatannular portion, a centrifugal impeller mounted for rotation in closeproximity with and about an axis substantially normal to one side ofsaid heat transfer plate centrally of and coaxially with said annularportion, motive means on the other side of said heat-transfer platecoupled with and rotating said impeller, substantially flat annularrefrigeration means mounted in intimate heat-exchange relationship withsaid other side of said annular portion of said heat-transfer plate,shallow pump means having a substantially spiral liquid flow passagewaycoaxially about and communicating with said impeller and exposed alongone side for substantially its full length to said one side of saidannular portion of said heat-transfer plate, means admitting liquid fromsaid eontainer to said impeller near said axis, and means fordischarging aceelerated liquid from said passageway into said container.

2. Liquid-processing apparatus, comprising a container for a quantity ofa liquid, a substantially flat heat-transfer plate, a centrifugalimpeller mounted for rotation in close proximity with and about an axissubstantially normal to one side of said heat-transfer plate, motivemeans on the other side of said heat-transfer plate coupled with androtating said impeller, a substantially flat annular array ofrefrigeration coils mounted in intimate heat-exchange relationship withsaid other side of said heat-transfer plate, shallow pump means having asubstantially spiral liquid flow passageway of more than one turncoaxially about said impeller and exposed along one side forsubstantially its full length to said one side of said heat-transferplate opposite said refrigeration coils, means admitting liquid from thebottom of said container to said impeller near said axis, means fordischarging accelerated liquid from said passageway into said containerabove the level of liquid therein, and means for withdrawing chilledliquid directly from said container at a position remote from andindependently of said pump means.

3. Liquid-processing apparatus, comprising a container in the form of abowl having a substantially flat bottom, a cooling plate having at leasta substantially flat annular portion, a centrifugal impeller mounted forrotation in close proximity with and about an axis substantially normalto one side of said cooling plate centrally of and coaxially with saidannular portion, motive means on the other side of said cooling platecoupled with and rotating said impeller, substantially fiat annularrefrigeration means mounted in intimate heat-exchange relationship withsaid other side of said annular portion of said cooling plate, shallowpump means having a substantially spiral liquid tflow passagewaycoaxially about and communicating with said impeller and exposed alongone side for substantially its full length to said one side of saidannular portion of said cooling plate, me ans admitting liquid from thebottom of the bowl to said impeller means near said axis, means fordischarging accelerated liquid from said passage-way into the bowl abovethe level of liquid therein, and means for tapping liquid directly fromthe bottom of the bowl at a position remote from said admitting means.

4. Liquid-processing apparatus, comprising a liquid storage bowl havinga relatively large opening through the bottom thereof, a support forsaid bowl, said support including a substantially horizontal coolingplate near the top thereof disposed to appear opposite said opening whensaid bowl is set on said support, said cooling plate having at least asubstantially fiat annular portion, a centrifugal impeller mounted forrotation in close proximity with and about an axis substantially normalto the top of said cooling plate centrally of and coaxially with saidannular portion, motive means mounted on said support below said coolingplate coupled with and rotating said impeller, substantially flatannular refrigeration means mounted in intimate heat-exchangerelationship with the bottom of said annular portion of said coolingplate, shallow pump means having a substantially spiral horizontalliquid flow passageway coaxially about and communicating with saidimpeller and exposed along the bottom thereof for substantially its fulllength to the top of said annular portion of said cooling plate, meansadmitting liquid from said bowl to said impeller near said axis, meansfor discharging accelerated liquid from said passageway into the 'bowlabove the level of liquid there in, and means sealing said bowl inrelation to said cooling plate radially outwardly of said annularportion thereof.

5. Liquid-processing apparatus, comprising a liquid storage bowl havinga relatively large circular opening through the bottom thereof, asupport for said bowl having a substantially circular cooling plate nearthe top thereof exposed to said opening when said bowl is set on saidsupport, said cooling plate having at least a substantially flat annularportion, a centrifugal impeller mounted for rotation in close proximitywith and about an axis substantially normal to the top of said coolingplate centrally of and coaxially with said annular portion, motive meansmounted on said support below said cooling plate, magnetic meanscoupling said motive means in driving relationship with said impellerthrough said cooling plate, a substantially fiat annular refrigerationcoil mounted in intimate heat-exchange relationship with the bottom ofsaid annular portion of said cooling plate, shallow pump means having asubstantially spiral horizontal liquid flow passageway coaxially aboutand communicating with said impeller and exposed along the bottomthereof for substantially its full length to the top of said annularportion of said cooling plate, said passageway having an outlet at thetop of said pump means near the outer periphery thereof, means admittingliquid from said bowl to said impeller near said axis, a spray tubeprojecting from said outlet substantially vertically through the liquidin said bowl, and means sealing the bottom of said bowl around saidopening in relation to said cooling plate radially outwardly of saidannular portion thereof.

6. Liquid-processing apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein saidcooling plate has an upstanding rim about the periphery thereof, whereinsaid bowl has a rim projecting downwardly about said opening which is ofslightly smaller cross-section than that of said upstanding rim, andwherein said sealing means includes a radially-compressible gasketmember interposed between said rims, said gasket having a transversecross-section normally greater than the radial separation between saidrims.

7. Liquid-processing apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein saiddownwardly-projecting rim of said bowl is substantially cylindrical,wherein said gasket is formed of elastic material and has an innerdiameter normally less than the outer diameter of said bowl rim and isstretched onto said bowl rim, and wherein said gasket is normallysubstantially cylindrical along the inner diameter thereof and isnormally convex in curvature along the outer diameter thereof.

8. Liquid-processing apparatus, comprising a container for a quantity ofa liquid, a substantially fiat heat-transfer plate, a centrifugalimpeller, motive means for rotating said impeller in close proximitywith and about an axis normal to said heat-transfer plate, shallowspirally-ribbed pump means open along one side mounted with the ribbingexposed along the open side thereof disposed substantially in abuttingnormal relationship to one side of said heat-transfer plate andcoaxially surrounding said impeller, said heat-transfer plate and pumpmeans together forming a substantially spiral fluid passageway aroundsaid impeller wherein the liquid is in heat-transfer relationship withsaid plate and is accelerated to a relatively high linear velocity,means admitting liquid from said container to said impeller near thecenter thereof, means discharging the accelerated liquid from the spiralpassageway at the outer end thereof, into said container andheatexchanger means in intimate heat-exchange relationship with theother side of said heat-transfer plate.

9. Liquid-processing apparatus, comprising a container for a quantity ofa liquid, a substantially flat heat-transfer plate, a centrifugalimpeller mounted for rotation in close proximity with and about an axisnormal to said heattransfer plate, shallow spirally-ribbed pump meanscoaxial with said impeller and closed on one side except for arelatively small central opening and a small opening near the pheripherythereof, said pump means being mounted with the ribbing thereof exposedon the other side substantially in abutting normal relationship to oneside of said heat-transfer plate, said heat-transfer plate and pumpmeans together forming a substantially spiral fluid passageway aroundsaid impeller wherein the liquid is in heat-transfer relationship withsaid plate and is accelerated to relatively high linear velocities,means admitting liquid from said container to said impeller near thecenter thereof through said central opening in said pump means, meansdischarging the accelerated liquid from said opening near the peripheryof said pump means into said container, an annular array ofrefrigeration coils in intimate heat-exchange relationship with theother side of said heat-transfer plate opposite said spiral passage way,and motive means on said other side of said heat transfer plate coupledwith and rotating said centrifugal impeller.

10. Liquid-processing apparatus, comprising a container for a quantityof a liquid, a substantially flat heattransfer plate, a centrifugalimpeller, motive means for rotating said impeller in close proximitywith and about an axis normal to said heat-transfer plate, substantiallyspirally-ribbed pump means in coaxial surrounding relationship with saidimpeller, the ribbing of said pump means being of substantially uniformheight and extending substantial-1y normal to said heat-transfer platealong one side thereof for more than one turn about said axis, said pumpmeans including portions closing the other side of the ribbing at asubstantially uniform distance from said heat-transfer plate to form asubstantially spiral fluid passageway coaxially around said impeller andin heat-transfer relationship with said heat-transfer plate, meansadmitting liquid from said container to said centrifugal impeller nearsaid axis, means discharging liquid at relatively high linear velocityfrom the passageway through said pump means near the periphery thereof,and heat-exchanger means in intimate heat-exchange relationship withsaid heat-transfer plate on the side thereof opposite that to which theribbing extends.

11. Liquid-processing apparatus, comprising a liquid storage bowl havinga relatively large circular opening through the substantially flatbottom thereof, a support for said bowl having a substantially circularcooling plate of magnetically permeable metal near the top thereofexposed to said opening when said bowl is set on said support, shallowpump means atop said cooling plate including a rotatable impeller andmeans forming a substantially closed spiral pumping flow passagewaycoaxially around said impeller and directly exposed substantially fullyalong the bottom thereof to the top of said cooling plate, refrigerationmeans mounted on said support and having refrigerating coils in intimateheatexchange relationship with the bottom of said cooling plate, motivemeans mounted on said support below said cooling plate, magnetic meanscoupling said motive means in driving relationship with said impellerthrough said cooling plate, means admitting liquid from said bowl tosaid impeller near the center thereof, a substantially vertical fluidoutlet tube projecting substantially vertically upwardly above theliquid level in said bowl from a position near the outer periphery ofsaid spiral passageway in said pump means, and means sealing saidcooling plate with said bowl about said opening through said bowl.

12. Liqiud-processing appartus, comprising a liquid storage bowl havinga substantially flat bottom with a relatively large opening and arelatively small opening therethrough, a support mounting said bowl witha portion thereof having the relatively small opening therethrough inoverhanging relationship to the front of said support, said supporthaving a substantially circular cooling plate near the top there-ofexposed to the relatively large opening when said bowl is mounted onsaid support, shallow pump means atop said cooling plate including arotatable impeller and means forming a substantially closed spiralpumping flow passageway coaxially around said impeller and directlyexposed substantially fully along the bottom thereof to the top of saidcooling plate, refrigeration means mounted on said support and having aflat array of refrigerating coils in intimate heat-exchange relationshipwith the bottom of said cooling plate, motive means mounted on saidsupport below said cooling plate and rotating said impeller, meanssealing said bowl with said cooling plate about the large opening, meansadmitting liquid from said bowl to said impeller near the centerthereof, means discharging liquid from a position near the outerperiphery of said spiral passageway into said bowl, and lift valvedispensing means normally closing the relatively small opening throughthe bottom of said bowl, said lift valve means including means providinga hollow valve seat around said small opening, a vertically slidaibleweighted valve member mated coaxially with said valve seat means forseating and sealing therewith at an upper position, said valve memberhaving a reduced cross-sectional area below said upper position topermit drainage 'of liquid when said valve member is raised, and pivotedlever means outside of said bowl for lifting said valve member todispense liquid from said bowl.

13. Liquid-processing apparatus, comprising a liquid storage bowl havinga bottom with a relatively large opening and a relatively small openingtherethrough, a support mounting said bowl with a portion thereof havingthe relatively small opening therethrough in overbanging relationship tothe front of said support, said support having pumping and refrigeratedcooling equipment at the top thereof exposed to the relatively largeopening when said bowl is mounted on said support, means sealing saidbowl with said support about the relatively large opening, meansproviding a hollow valve seat around said small opening, and afluid-dispensing lift valve normally closing the relatively smallopening through the bottom of said bowl, said lift valve includingvertically slidab le valving means mated with and slidable coaxiallywithin said hollow valve seat means and having valving surfaces forseating and sealing with said valve seat means at an upper position,said valving means further including an enlarged portion at the topthereof and disposed in the bowl, said enlarged portion being ofrelatively large mass which gravitationally depresses said valving meansinto seating and sealing with said valve seat means and being ofrelatively large surface area through which said valving means ischilled by exposure to the liquid in the bowl, and said valving meansfurther having a reducedcross-sectional area below said valving surfacesthereof permitting drainage of liquid through said valve seat means whensaid valving means is raised, and pivoted llever means outside of saidbowl for lifting said valving means to dispense liquid from said bowl.

14. Liquid-processing apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein saidvalving means includes a lower end projecting downwardly of the bottomof said bowl through said small opening, wherein said pivoted levermeans comprises a lever member having the general shape of an invertedL, with the substantially vertical portion thereof disposed rearwardlyof and below the front of the overhanging part of the front of the bowl,and with the substantially horizontal portion thereof extendingforwardly thereof, and separable means hinging the front of saidhorizontal portion for pivotal movement about a transverse horizontalaxis, said separable hinging means including bracket means fixed withthe bottom of said bowl and having horizontally-aligned notches open atthe front thereof, and cooperating horizontally-extending hinge means onsaid horizontal portion of said lever member disposed for separableengagement with said bracket means by way of the notches therein, saidhorizontal portion of said lever member being disposed to engage andlift said lower end of said valving means when said vertical portion ispressed rearwardly toward the front of said support.

15. Liquid-processing apparatus, comprising a liquid storage bowl havinga relatively large circular opening and a spaced relatively smallcircular opening through the substantially flat bottom thereof, saidbowl having a short downwardly-extending substantially cylindricalintegral n'm about said relatively large opening, a support for saidbowl having a substantially circular and fiat cooling plate ofmagnetically permeable material at the top thereof exposed to saidrelatively large opening when said bowl is set on said support, andmounting said portion of said bowl having the relatively small openingtherethrough in overhanging relationship to the front of said supportwhen said bowl is set on said support, said cooling plate having a shortupstanding substantially cylindrical rim about the periphery thereof ofinner diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the rim onsaid bowl and surrounding the latter rim when said bowl is set on saidsupport, shallow pump means atop said cooling plate including a centralrotatable impeller separable from said plate and separable means forminga substantially closed spiral fiow passageway of more than one turncoaxially around said impeller and open at the bottom to expose saidpassageway fully along its length to the top of said flat cooling plate,refrigeration means on said support including refrigeration coils inintimate heat-exchange relationship with the bottom of said coolingplate, motive means mounted on said support below said cooling plate,magnetic means coupling said motive means in driving relationship withsaid impeller through said cooling plate, means admitting liquid fromsaid bowl to said impeller near the center thereof, a substantiallyvertical liquid spray outlet tube projecting upwardly above the liquidlevel in said bowl from a position near the outer periphery of saidspiral passageway, a removable cover fitting the top of said bowl andextending above the level of said spray tube, a radially-compressibleelastic gasket stretched over said rim of said bowl, said gasket havinga transverse cross-section of radial thickness normally greater than theannular clearance between said rims, and lift valve dispensing meansnormally closing the relatively small opening through the bottom of saidbowl, said lift valve means including guide bushing means providing anannular valve seat around said small opening, vertically slidableweighted valve means mated coaxially within said guide bushing means,said slidable means having a weight portion at the top disposed withinthe bowl for chilling by the liquid, a seal below said weight portionfor seating and sealing with said annular valve seat, and a cylindricaltubular top portion mated with said bushing and open laterally belowsaid seal to admit flow of liquid therethrough when said slidable meansis raised, and valve lifting means outside said bowl and in front ofsaid support for selectably lifting said slidable means to dispenseliquid from said bowl.

16. Liquid-processing apparatus, comprising a liquid storage bowl havinga bottom with a relatively large opening and a relatively small openingtherethrough, a support mounting said bowl with a portion thereof havingthe relatively small opening therethrough in overhanging relationship tothe front of said support, said support having pumping and refrigeratedcooling equipment at the top thereof exposed to the relatively largeopening when said bowl is mounted on said support, means sealing saidbowl with said support about the relatively large opening, meansproviding a hollow valve seat around said opening and including meansforming a tubular guide about said opening and having a valve seatportion at the top disposed at a level substantially the same as that ofthe inner bottom surface of said bowl and further including a subtiallycylindrical guide passage portion extending downwardly therefrom, liftvalve dispensing means normally closing the relatively small openingthrough the bottom of said bowl, said lift valve means including avertically slidable weighted valve member having a sealing portion at anupper position disposed for seating and sealing with said valve seatmeans and having a cylindrical portion below said sealing portionclosely mated coaxially with said cylindrical guide passage portion andslidable therein, said cylindrical portion of said valve member having alongitudinal drain opening therein merging with at least one lateralopening through the side of said cylindrical portion of said valvemember below said sealing portion, said valve member having a weightportion disposed in the bowl for exposure to and chilling by the liquidtherein, and pivoted lever means outside of said bowl for lifting saidweighted valve member to dispense liquid from said bowl, said pivotedlever means comprising a lever member having the general shape of aninverted L with the substantially vertical portion thereof disposedrearwardly of and below the front of the overhanging part of the frontof the bowl, and with the substantially horizontal portion thereofextending forwardly thereof, said horizontal portion of said levermember having an opening therein slightly larger than said cylindricalportion of said valve member and disposed with said cylindrical portionof said valve member passing therethrough, said cylindrical portion ofsaid valve member having an enlarged shoulder disposed to be engaged andlifted by the top of said horizontal portion of said lever member whensaid vertical portion is pressed rearwardly toward the front of saidsupport, and means hinging the front of said horizontal portion forpivotal movement about a transverse horizontal axis, said hinging meansincluding notched hinge bracket means fixed with the bottom of saidbowl, said front of said horizontal portion of said lever member beingengaged in notches of said hinge means for said pivotal movement.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,710,707 6/1955Persak 14l362 X 2,775,877 1/ 1957 Bruntjen. 3,060,702 10/1962 Price62-392 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Examiner.

F. R. HANDREN, Assistant Examiner.

1. LIQUID-PROCESSING APPARATUS, COMPRISING A CONTAINER FOR A QUANTITY OFA LIQUID, A HEAT-TRANSFER PLATE HAVING AT LEAST A SUBSTANTIALLY FLATANNULAR PORTION, A CENTRIFUGAL IMPELLER MOUNTED FOR ROTATION IN CLOSEPROXIMITY WITH AND ABOUT AN AXIS SUBSTANTIALLY NORMALLY TO ONE SIDE OFSAID HEAT-TRANSFER PLATE CENTRALLY OF AND COAXIALLY WITH SAID ANNULARPORTION, MOTIVE MEANS, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID HEAT-TRANSFER PLATECOUPLED WITH AND ROTATING SAID IMPELLER, SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT ANNULARREFRIGERATION MEANS MOUNTED IN INTIMATE HEAT-EXCHANGE RELATIONSHIP WITHSAID OTHER SIDE OF SAID ANNULAR PORTION OF SAID HEAT-TRANSFER PLATE,SHALLOW PUMP MEANS HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY SPIRAL LIQUID FLOW PASSAGEWAYCOAXIALLY ABOUT AND COMMUNICATING WITH SAID IMPELLER AND EXPOSED ALONGONE SIDE FOR SUBSTANTIALLY ITS FULL LENGTH TO SAID ONE SIDE OF SAIDANNULAR PORTION OF SAID HEAT-TRANSFER PLATE, MEANS ADMITTING LIQUID FROMSAID CONTAINER TO SAID IMPELLER NEAR SAID AXIS AND MEANS FOR DISCHARGINGACCELERATED LIQUID FROM SAID PASSAGEWAY INTO SAID CONTAINER.